December 12, 201113 yr It's an acquired taste, no doubt. But once you go Mac, there's no turning back... I disagree. I went Mac (Mac Mini) and turned back. I wouldn't go back to Mac even if the hardware was similarly priced. But I am likely not the average user (more technical/geeky). I built a PC which blows away the Mac Mini (no comparison) after I sold it, for less than the what I originally purchased my Mac Mini for.
December 21, 201113 yr Well yeah of course my 8-core 3 ghz, 24gb of ram pc blows away my humble duo core 4gb ram iMac. Super high performance isn't for most of the market. For marketability to the average user the pricing seems to be the only limitation. Yet my 3 year old iMac can have the entire adobe suite open with hundreds of images tabbed plus be rendering and still have good Performance. Again the average user isn't rendering 3d images or has 100 things open at once.
December 21, 201113 yr Apple doesn't give you the option to do this without having some kind of external device connected like a display, keyboard, mouse, etc (they only want this to happen in a desktop environment). They don't want users putting their notebook in a bag and get where they're going with no juice in the battery. Which I have personally done a couple times when I've had my Windows notebook set up to not sleep on close w/o AC power. I found that you can bypass this by using InsomniaX http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/22211/insomniax I found that link and confirmation of the connected devices stuff in the following thread. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2118287?start=0&tstart=0
December 21, 201113 yr Is there then a way for me to turn off the screen but still have the power on?
December 21, 201113 yr You can change it so the display goes to sleep earlier in the Energy Saver preferences or press Control - Shift - Eject (the triangle with the line below it).
December 21, 201113 yr Again the average user isn't rendering 3d images or has 100 things open at once. This is my problem with those that constantly feel the need to bash Apple products because they can't do something specific that 90% of the users don't want/need. Apple's products (despite minor flaws found in all computer systems and somewhat limited functionality based on their proprietary ecosystem) are well designed, quality products that suit the needs of most people. The "world's most valuable company" got that way as a direct result of knowing what people want (e.g. not throwing the kitchen sink into their products). "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." - Warren Buffett
December 21, 201113 yr ^^that is outstanding! thank you Edit: Also, the lack or virtual lack of spyware and viruses alone makes the Mac's premium price worth it. Easily.
December 21, 201113 yr It's an acquired taste, no doubt. But once you go Mac, there's no turning back... I disagree. I went Mac (Mac Mini) and turned back. I wouldn't go back to Mac even if the hardware was similarly priced. But I am likely not the average user (more technical/geeky). I built a PC which blows away the Mac Mini (no comparison) after I sold it, for less than the what I originally purchased my Mac Mini for. If you are more technical/geeky then I can't understand why you would turn your back on a Unix-based machine like the mac.
January 27, 201213 yr The Fleshlight iPad Holder http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/01/26/ipad_fleshlight_design/ NSFW
January 27, 201213 yr The Fleshlight iPad Holder http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/01/26/ipad_fleshlight_design/ NSFW
January 27, 201213 yr Happy to report Apple stock is up 13% since I bought it in November! Steve Jobs thanks you from his grave! what did you buy?
January 27, 201213 yr Happy to report Apple stock is up 13% since I bought it in November! Steve Jobs thanks you from his grave! what did you buy? I bought a few shares right after he died when the price dropped. Been kind of steady since then, but really spiked when the earnings report came out.
January 28, 201213 yr Happy to report Apple stock is up 13% since I bought it in November! Steve Jobs thanks you from his grave! what did you buy? I bought a few shares right after he died when the price dropped. Been kind of steady since then, but really spiked when the earnings report came out. Sweeeeeeeeet!
January 30, 201213 yr Anything Apple puts out is top-of-the-line. The Mac Mini just isn't designed for people who like to customize computers. Face it, most people who buy a Mac Mini are going to toss it in the trash in 2 years after buying the next shiny new object. The majority of people who buy computers just need it to check e-mail and Facebook. They're not using demanding programs to edit video or design Propulsion Systems. Jeeez. To a lot of people, it's worth paying hundreds of dollars extra to ensure that during those two years, their keyboard keys aren't going to fall off and that they won't have to worry about unnecessary tool bars (i.e. spyware) attached to their browser.
January 30, 201213 yr I was just watching this show on TV, yesterday morning about Foxconn, a company who operates all over the world but is contracted to Apple with their extremely large operation in China. They actually produce about 50% of the popular electronics we enjoy in the modern world. They essentially run sweatshops, working employees long hours, putting them under a lot of stress to produce...the whole nine. They were talking about the suicide rate of employees who have a tendancy to jump off of the top of Foxconn's buildings. I couldn't believe it when I saw pictures of nets they put up on the facades of Foxconn's buildings to prevent people from dying when jumping off.
January 30, 201213 yr Anything Apple puts out is top-of-the-line. The Mac Mini just isn't designed for people who like to customize computers. Face it, most people who buy a Mac Mini are going to toss it in the trash in 2 years after buying the next shiny new object. The majority of people who buy computers just need it to check e-mail and Facebook. They're not using demanding programs to edit video or design Propulsion Systems. Jeeez. To a lot of people, it's worth paying hundreds of dollars extra to ensure that during those two years, their keyboard keys aren't going to fall off and that they won't have to worry about unnecessary tool bars (i.e. spyware) attached to their browser. If all you want to do is check email and Facebook, why on earth would you buy something top-of-the-line?
January 30, 201213 yr The same reason people buy iPads when they can do all of the same stuff on their iPhone or computer....because they can lol.
January 30, 201213 yr I was just watching this show on TV, yesterday morning about Foxconn, a company who operates all over the world but is contracted to Apple with their extremely large operation in China. They actually produce about 50% of the popular electronics we enjoy in the modern world. They essentially run sweatshops, working employees long hours, putting them under a lot of stress to produce...the whole nine. They were talking about the suicide rate of employees who have a tendancy to jump off of the top of Foxconn's buildings. I couldn't believe it when I saw pictures of nets they put up on the facades of Foxconn's buildings to prevent people from dying when jumping off. I disagree. Apple has amazing marketing flow penetration! the ipad isn't the best tablet out, but it was first to market and has the best marketing.
January 30, 201213 yr P.S., I wasn't suggesting Top-of-the-line as far as computers go PERIOD. Just in comparison to their competition. In the case of the Mac Mini that would be what, that Dell Studio thing-a-ma-jig?
January 30, 201213 yr I recently bought a new laptop and I was seriously considering a Mac. But, despite my open mind, I could not shake the idea of getting ripped off by the price premium. Same thing with the new tablet I got. Couldn't justify the price of an iPad. I would feel like I was buying into conspicuous consumption. If the price premium meant better worker conditions, I might consider it worthwhile. But that's obviously not the case. The closed ecosystem doesn't help, either. Even for email and simple things, it's nice to have more choice.
January 30, 201213 yr I don't blame ya. Just pointing out the pathology of consumers. I forget the economic principle in which a possessor extracts a lot of value from some good simply because others don't or can't possess that good but it exists and it clearly comes with a hefty premium that far exceeds the marginal difference in quality. Anywho, I digress...
January 30, 201213 yr I recently bought a new laptop and I was seriously considering a Mac. But, despite my open mind, I could not shake the idea of getting ripped off by the price premium. Same thing with the new tablet I got. Couldn't justify the price of an iPad. I would feel like I was buying into conspicuous consumption. If the price premium meant better worker conditions, I might consider it worthwhile. But that's obviously not the case. The closed ecosystem doesn't help, either. Even for email and simple things, it's nice to have more choice. What tablet did you end up getting? I'm still keeping my eyes open for a good one in my price range. For various reasons, I can't/won't pull the trigger on the iPad2.
January 30, 201213 yr Toshiba Thrive. Got a 16GB refurbished for $279. It's a little on the bulky side but it has full-sized USB and HDMI ports and a full-sized SD card slot (as well as a miini-USB port). Overall, I am satisfied with the purchase. Great for reading on my commute or in a chair at home, and I don't carry a laptop around nearly as much.
February 16, 201213 yr Mountain Lion review http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/16/apples-mountain-lion-makes-the-mac-more-like-the-ipad/?ref=personaltechemail&nl=technology&emc=cta1 All the messaging crap makes it look like it's gonna be impossible to get anything done. Having no iDevices & no laptop that can run the damn thing, I find myself thinking of Pere Ubu's Heart of Darkness, "I don't see anything that I want".
February 17, 201213 yr >This is my problem with those that constantly feel the need to bash Apple products because they can't do something specific that 90% of the users don't want/need. Apple's products (despite minor flaws found in all computer systems and somewhat limited functionality based on their proprietary ecosystem) are well designed, quality products that suit the needs of most people. Everything Apple makes is designed so that people don't need an instruction manual. The computer geeks are pissed because in the past not only did you need a manual, you often needed a geek to go with it.
February 18, 201213 yr I was just watching this show on TV, yesterday morning about Foxconn, a company who operates all over the world but is contracted to Apple with their extremely large operation in China. They actually produce about 50% of the popular electronics we enjoy in the modern world. They essentially run sweatshops, working employees long hours, putting them under a lot of stress to produce...the whole nine. They were talking about the suicide rate of employees who have a tendancy to jump off of the top of Foxconn's buildings. I couldn't believe it when I saw pictures of nets they put up on the facades of Foxconn's buildings to prevent people from dying when jumping off. I disagree. Apple has amazing marketing flow penetration! the ipad isn't the best tablet out, but it was first to market and has the best marketing. But isn't that the story of Apple? So-so products with great marketing? All they have to do is stick that logo on something and people will buy it. It's pretty sad considering the margins the company must be seeing yet the incredibly shameful state of their slave-labor factories in China.
February 18, 201213 yr >This is my problem with those that constantly feel the need to bash Apple products because they can't do something specific that 90% of the users don't want/need. Apple's products (despite minor flaws found in all computer systems and somewhat limited functionality based on their proprietary ecosystem) are well designed, quality products that suit the needs of most people. Everything Apple makes is designed so that people don't need an instruction manual. The computer geeks are pissed because in the past not only did you need a manual, you often needed a geek to go with it. I don't know why people get so up-in-arms about other people buying Apple products. But I definitely see why people think they are sub-par and not worth buying. You get stuck in the "everything must be Apple-approved" world where everything you can get for other branded machines (including the machines themselves) costs 25+% more. That's ignoring the more geek-centric lack of customizability. If you want to future-proof your machine, you are SOL because the latest technologies are usually not compatible with Apple products. Not to mention the technologies which Apple wholesale refuses to adopt, like USB 3.0. Can't have that. You're stuck with old tech and a Thunderbolt port, for which there are few accessories and the ones that do exist are outlandishly pricey. If money is no object for you and your technical demands are minimal or very specific, by all means, buy Apple products. (The "money is no object" part is probably responsible for much of the backlash.)
February 18, 201213 yr But isn't that the story of Apple? So-so products with great marketing? All they have to do is stick that logo on something and people will buy it. It's pretty sad considering the margins the company must be seeing yet the incredibly shameful state of their slave-labor factories in China. Marketing and industrial design. Don't forget the industrial design. Apple is a coup of form over function.
February 18, 201213 yr It's pretty sad considering the margins the company must be seeing yet the incredibly shameful state of their slave-labor factories in China. If you think non-Apple electronics products aren't also produced in slave-labor factories, I've got a bridge to sell you. Many of them are produced in the exact same factories as Apple products, but of course, it's fashionable to single out Apple while ignoring every other company that employs the same labor practices.
February 18, 201213 yr It's pretty sad considering the margins the company must be seeing yet the incredibly shameful state of their slave-labor factories in China. If you think non-Apple electronics products aren't also produced in slave-labor factories, I've got a bridge to sell you. Many of them are produced in the exact same factories as Apple products, but of course, it's fashionable to single out Apple while ignoring every other company that employs the same labor practices. I don't think it's bad to single out Apple, given their prominence (world's biggest company!). Particularly since they charge so damn much money over the top of what other companies charge for the same parts. (They aren't even passing the slave-labor savings onto their customers -- maybe that's cynical, but it's true.) They want to be industry leaders? Fine. Show the industry how a profit can be made with fair(er) labor practices.
February 21, 201213 yr It's pretty sad considering the margins the company must be seeing yet the incredibly shameful state of their slave-labor factories in China. If you think non-Apple electronics products aren't also produced in slave-labor factories, I've got a bridge to sell you. Many of them are produced in the exact same factories as Apple products, but of course, it's fashionable to single out Apple while ignoring every other company that employs the same labor practices. Obviously I'm not naive enough to believe that it's only Apple using cheap Chinese labor, but that's not really the point. The point is that Apple charges enough for these products that they should and could be made of higher quality materials and with better conditions for workers, as Apple would lead you to believe is the case. Say nothing of the progressive-minded nature of a chunk of Apple's costumer base that should feel especially betrayed by these revelations. In summation, Apple is different here because of the nature of the company and the people that keep it in business.
February 28, 201213 yr It's pretty sad considering the margins the company must be seeing yet the incredibly shameful state of their slave-labor factories in China. If you think non-Apple electronics products aren't also produced in slave-labor factories, I've got a bridge to sell you. Many of them are produced in the exact same factories as Apple products, but of course, it's fashionable to single out Apple while ignoring every other company that employs the same labor practices. Obviously I'm not naive enough to believe that it's only Apple using cheap Chinese labor, but that's not really the point. The point is that Apple charges enough for these products that they should and could be made of higher quality materials and with better conditions for workers, as Apple would lead you to believe is the case. Say nothing of the progressive-minded nature of a chunk of Apple's costumer base that should feel especially betrayed by these revelations. In summation, Apple is different here because of the nature of the company and the people that keep it in business. I don't understand the comments about Apple hardware being low quality or "so-so with good marketing". Compare the iMac, Mac Pro, or MacBook Air to any desktop or laptop on the market today. Dell, HP, Acer, and other PC manufactures are essentially in a "race to the bottom" to see who can build the cheapest machines out of the cheapest plastic. Apple hardware is actually built to last and will retain its value for years. Meanwhile HP and Dell are trying to get out of the PC business because as they race to the bottom, there is less profit to be made.
February 28, 201213 yr In the hardware department you can buy just as nice a PC as a Mac. Just because Apple doesn't make low end machines anymore, and their competition push their crap machines 9 times out of 10 rather than their premium product doesn't mean Apple knows some secret sauce in design, or that something like the Samsung 9 Series doesn't exist.
February 28, 201213 yr In the hardware department you can buy just as nice a PC as a Mac. Just because Apple doesn't make low end machines anymore, and their competition push their crap machines 9 times out of 10 rather than their premium product doesn't mean Apple knows some secret sauce in design, or that something like the Samsung 9 Series doesn't exist. I think they do. It was in the little details. Keyboard keys lighting up at night; magnetic connection point for the A/C power, really accurate touchpad. The casing is brilliant. Apple laptops are really easy to work on. I still love Apple's operating systems more than windows, too. I've never gotten spyware on my MacBook Pro despite going on PirateBay every day. Knowing your computer is going to be stable, not crash, along with the security of knowing the machine is physically durable is worth a couple extra hundred bucks, I think.
March 1, 201213 yr It's pretty sad considering the margins the company must be seeing yet the incredibly shameful state of their slave-labor factories in China. If you think non-Apple electronics products aren't also produced in slave-labor factories, I've got a bridge to sell you. Many of them are produced in the exact same factories as Apple products, but of course, it's fashionable to single out Apple while ignoring every other company that employs the same labor practices. Obviously I'm not naive enough to believe that it's only Apple using cheap Chinese labor, but that's not really the point. The point is that Apple charges enough for these products that they should and could be made of higher quality materials and with better conditions for workers, as Apple would lead you to believe is the case. Say nothing of the progressive-minded nature of a chunk of Apple's costumer base that should feel especially betrayed by these revelations. In summation, Apple is different here because of the nature of the company and the people that keep it in business. I don't understand the comments about Apple hardware being low quality or "so-so with good marketing". Compare the iMac, Mac Pro, or MacBook Air to any desktop or laptop on the market today. Dell, HP, Acer, and other PC manufactures are essentially in a "race to the bottom" to see who can build the cheapest machines out of the cheapest plastic. Apple hardware is actually built to last and will retain its value for years. Meanwhile HP and Dell are trying to get out of the PC business because as they race to the bottom, there is less profit to be made. I've had my iMac for 3 years and nothing has required replacemt or repair. My parents have a 4 year old iMac that hasn't had problems either. I haven't even refreshed my hard drive or upgraded my OS because there haven't been any performance issues. For the first time ever I may be able to sell my computer for once. I really think its an issue of Windows destroying the hardware. When I run windows on my Mac it demands more resources for running the same programs than iOS. Windows 7 was a big step up, but I think Microsoft is scarred by Vista which has to go down as the worst operating system in history. I certainly hope no one is using it.
March 3, 201213 yr To buy any other computer beyond a mac is just foolish, at least for personal use. The lack of spyware and viruses, the fact that you can easily get 7 or 8 years on a mac alone make the system worth the premium price.
March 16, 201213 yr 'This American Life' Retracts Show on Foxconn Working Conditions over Fabricated Claims Back in January, popular radio show This American Life aired an episode dedicated to working conditions at Foxconn's factories in China, drawing heavily from Mike Daisey's theater monologue entitled "The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs". In the monologue, which has been a notable part of the push to address working conditions at Apple's suppliers, Daisey relates tales from his visit to China where he met with Foxconn workers. In a remarkable reversal, This American Life has now announced that it is retracting its January broadcast of Daisey's content, citing a number of fabrications discovered in a follow-up investigation on his claims. I'm not saying working conditions at Foxconn are great. But a lot of the recent backlash against Apple was due to Daisey's monologue and the This American Life episode. It's why Apple has allowed a third party to investigate the plant's working conditions. And it turns out that the monologue contained a lot of exaggerations and fabrications. This American Life is devoting their entire next episode to retracting the previous episode on Apple & Foxconn.
March 17, 201213 yr It's pretty sad considering the margins the company must be seeing yet the incredibly shameful state of their slave-labor factories in China. If you think non-Apple electronics products aren't also produced in slave-labor factories, I've got a bridge to sell you. Many of them are produced in the exact same factories as Apple products, but of course, it's fashionable to single out Apple while ignoring every other company that employs the same labor practices. Obviously I'm not naive enough to believe that it's only Apple using cheap Chinese labor, but that's not really the point. The point is that Apple charges enough for these products that they should and could be made of higher quality materials and with better conditions for workers, as Apple would lead you to believe is the case. Say nothing of the progressive-minded nature of a chunk of Apple's costumer base that should feel especially betrayed by these revelations. In summation, Apple is different here because of the nature of the company and the people that keep it in business. I don't understand the comments about Apple hardware being low quality or "so-so with good marketing". Compare the iMac, Mac Pro, or MacBook Air to any desktop or laptop on the market today. Dell, HP, Acer, and other PC manufactures are essentially in a "race to the bottom" to see who can build the cheapest machines out of the cheapest plastic. Apple hardware is actually built to last and will retain its value for years. Meanwhile HP and Dell are trying to get out of the PC business because as they race to the bottom, there is less profit to be made. I've had my iMac for 3 years and nothing has required replacemt or repair. My parents have a 4 year old iMac that hasn't had problems either. I haven't even refreshed my hard drive or upgraded my OS because there haven't been any performance issues. For the first time ever I may be able to sell my computer for once. I really think its an issue of Windows destroying the hardware. When I run windows on my Mac it demands more resources for running the same programs than iOS. Windows 7 was a big step up, but I think Microsoft is scarred by Vista which has to go down as the worst operating system in history. I certainly hope no one is using it. Not necesarily true. Up thread I discuss how my family upgrade and purchased no 27" and several failed.
May 15, 201213 yr Perian, the Quicktime PlugIn is coming to an end http://perian.org/ Hopefully Apple won't break it (if they ever upgrade QT Player again)
June 27, 201212 yr On Orbitz, Mac Users Steered to Pricier Hotels "Orbitz Worldwide Inc. has found that people who use Apple Inc.'s Mac computers spend as much as 30% more a night on hotels, so the online travel agency is starting to show them different, and sometimes costlier, travel options than Windows visitors see." I wonder if they will start directing Linux users towards cheaper rooms, & services... http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304458604577488822667325882.html
June 28, 201212 yr "Apple’s Insanely Great 1986 Clothing Line" Back in 1986, Apple designers took their talents to the closet creating a catalog full of extra short-shorts and trucker hats with rainbow-shaded Apple logos. They called it “The Apple Collection.” http://mashable.com/2012/06/13/apple-80s-clothing/#69479The-Techy-Look
June 28, 201212 yr To buy any other computer beyond a mac is just foolish, at least for personal use. The lack of spyware and viruses, the fact that you can easily get 7 or 8 years on a mac alone make the system worth the premium price. Well that was ignorant. I have owned my PC for 6 years and have never had a problem and it still is zippy. Oh, and it cost me $550 back in 2006. My parents and brother haven't had a complaint about their now 3 year old laptop PCs, which were both under $350. Certainly, I don't think we're all foolish. Sorry we don't feel like joining your uppity club. Spyware and viruses would be all over the Macs as well if they comprised the overwhelming majority of computers in the world. Spyware and viruses are easy to avoid. People can either spend a small amount of time figuring out how not to get them or spend a crapload of money on a computer not many others have just so they aren't a target. Of course, the problem with that is the same problem with moving to the suburbs to get away from traffic and other people. As soon as everyone else does the same thing, you're right back where you started, except that you paid more to get there.
September 19, 201212 yr Interesting resource - hope nobody here (except maybe developers) needs it. http://www.applevis.com/ AppleVis - Empowering blind and low-vision users of Apple products and related applications
September 21, 201212 yr Apple has betrayed the shareholders and consumers with this Apple Maps garbage. This crap never should have been released, and the lack of Google Maps is reason enough to stay with Android. Why would anyone bother with a smart phone that ignores all the location and transit data compiled by Google. An utter shock how badly Apple dropped the ball here. Steve Jobs would have never okayed this $hit!!!!
September 21, 201212 yr Apple has betrayed the shareholders and consumers with this Apple Maps garbage. This crap never should have been released, and the lack of Google Maps is reason enough to stay with Android. Why would anyone bother with a smart phone that ignores all the location and transit data compiled by Google. An utter shock how badly Apple dropped the ball here. Steve Jobs would have never okayed this $hit!!!! You don't have safari on your iphone? :-P
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